ESCONDIDO — After rallying for a comeback victory in the Metro Conference semifinals, defending champion Westview came out blazing behind senior Anthony Mata in the title game against Rancho Bernardo.

Mata scored three goals, including one in an opening four-goal run by the Wolverines, as they prevailed 7-2 for their third championship in five years at the Escondido Sports Center last night.

“It’s been great playing at Westview,” Mata said. “This was all teamwork, trusting each other and bonding.”

The top-seeded Wolverines (19-3-1) took a 2-0 first -period lead on goals by Will Morrison and Adam Durkee, who also assisted each other.

Durkee followed up on his surge in the semifinals on Monday, when he scored all three of his goals in the third period as part of a 4-0 run that enabled Westview to top Poway 5-2 in a rematch of last year’s final.

Westview goaltender Greg Kurth, the coach’s son, turned back both Rancho Bernardo power plays. The second-seeded Broncos (16-6-1) didn’t score until Cruz Major converted with 2:42 left in the second period.

“It’s really big to repeat,” said Mata, one of two seniors on the team along with Stephen McDowell. The Wolverines lost six seniors, or half their squad, from last season.

Rancho Bernardo returned to the final after a one-year absence with strong play by junior goalie Ryan Hicks, who played his first season for the Broncos after concentrating on ice hockey.